Jerusalem: The Palestinian National Council of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PNC) issued a warning on Tuesday against the closure of the Jerusalem Fund and Endowment offices by the so-called Minister of National Security in the occupation government, Itamar Ben Gvir. The PNC views this action as part of a systematic policy aimed at Judaizing the city and continuing ethnic cleansing efforts.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the PNC released a press statement highlighting that these actions are part of a broader attack on the Palestinian people, ranging from organized genocide in the Gaza Strip to attempts to erase Jerusalem's identity. The Council criticized the international community's silence, which they believe violates principles of justice and international law. The statement emphasized that the targeting of national institutions and holy sites is a precursor to a project aimed at displacing Palestinians and forcibly imposing new realities. The PNC reiterated that Jerusalem remains Palestinian and is the capital of the state despite the occupation.
The PNC urged the international community to end its silence and double standards, calling for immediate measures to deter the occupation and hold it accountable for crimes against humanity.
The Jerusalem Governorate also condemned the decision by Ben Gvir, describing it as an aggressive tactic within the occupation's ongoing efforts to undermine the Palestinian presence in the occupied capital. The Governorate clarified that the Jerusalem Endowment and its Fund are solely dedicated to social, humanitarian, and charitable activities, devoid of political motives. Their mission is to support the resilience of Jerusalem's people in the face of daily restrictions and violations by the occupying forces.
The Governorate noted that such attacks persist due to international silence about Israel's violations against international norms and treaties protecting civil and humanitarian work. It labeled the closure as an element of the occupation's broader assault on Jerusalem's institutions, which are crucial for the city's defense and resilience.
The Jerusalem Governorate affirmed its rejection of this decision and appealed to the international community to act swiftly to protect Jerusalem's institutions and residents from the occupation's escalating measures.
The Jerusalem Endowment Fund, as stated on its Facebook page, is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Palestinian people in Jerusalem and promoting development within the city.